Barga Shakha Shrine Mattan

 

The Barga Shakha Shrine, perched majestically on a hilltop overlooking Mattan, is a revered symbol of devotion and spiritual faith. Located just 1 kilometer from the sacred Mattan Spring, and easily accessible from the Anantnag Pahalgam road, this ancient shrine holds profound significance for the faithful. The shrine, dedicated to the worship of the Mother Goddess, is enveloped in a rich tapestry of legend and mythology. According to local belief, its origin is divine, with the presence of a Sacred Stone, or “Shila,” serving as the focal point of worship. This revered stone is characterized by its bowed head, a gesture symbolizing deep respect and reverence for the divine, and is seen by devotees as a manifestation of the Goddess herself. One of the most spiritually significant features of the shrine is the Brimji Kul, a sacred tree, regarded as a divine gift from the Mother Goddess. Over the centuries, this tree has become an integral part of the shrine’s ritual practices. Devotees, in a show of faith and devotion, tie, red colour threads on the branches of this tree, a practice rooted in the belief that the Goddess listens to the prayers of those who approach her with sincere hearts. Each red thread represents a prayer, a wish, or a humble plea for divine intervention, and it is believed that those who offer their supplications with genuine humility often have their wishes fulfilled by the grace of the Mother Goddess. The shrine’s serene environment, coupled with its powerful spiritual aura, draws pilgrims from far and wide. It is not only a place of prayer but also a sanctuary of hope and divine connection. For many, the Barga Shakha Shrine is a testament to the enduring power of faith, where the divine presence of the Mother Goddess continues to bless her devotees with protection, grace, and the fulfillment of their deepest desires. The legend of the sacred stone, the rituals at the Brimji Kul, and the deep rooted belief in the Mother Goddess combine to make this shrine a timeless beacon of spirituality and devotion in the Kashmir Valley. The legend of Martand traces its origins to the revered sage Kashyap Rishi, who had two wives, Diti and Aditti. Diti, associated with worldly desires, gave birth to the demons, while Aditti, renowned for her deep spirituality and pious nature, bore Kashyap thirteen divine sons. These sons were not ordinary beings; the first twelve became the rulers of the celestial realm of the Sun, each reigning over the solar kingdom in rotation, corresponding with the twelve months of the year. Aditti’s unwavering devotion to her spiritual practices and her dedication to religious rituals earned her a unique blessing from Lord Vishnu, who granted her the boon of becoming the mother of thirteen sons, each destined for greatness. However, during her pregnancy with her thirteenth child, Aditi’s steadfast commitment to her rigorous fasting and rituals continued, much to the dismay of Kashyap Rishi. He feared that such intense devotion during this critical time might affect the well being of their unborn child. His concerns were not unfounded, as Aditti’s strict adherence to her spiritual practices led to the premature birth of her thirteenth son. Unlike a typical child, this divine offspring emerged in the form of a dark Orb....an egg like entity, radiating with an otherworldly glow, brilliant like the Sun itself. Recognizing the immense power and divinity contained within this glowing egg, Aditti, using her spiritual powers, cast the radiant egg of darkness (Andkar Pind) into the depths of the ancient and mystical Satisar Lake. This act was not merely a means of protection, but a profound gesture of trust in the divine forces, setting the stage for the miraculous birth of Martand, the thirteenth Sun. The legend of this celestial event has endured through the ages, connecting the sacred land of Martand with the cosmic origins of the Sun God, and making it a site of immense religious and mythological significance for generations to come Upon discovering that his divine son lay submerged in the depths of Satisar Lake at the site that would later be known as Martand, Rishi Kashyap was filled with concern and determination to bring his son to life. Realizing the magnitude of the situation, he called upon the most powerful deities of the universe for assistance. Brahma, the creator, Lord Shiva, the destroyer, Goddess Parvati, the embodiment of divine feminine energy, and Lord Vishnu, the preserver, all heeded Rishi Kashyap’s call. Together, these great deities descended to the sacred spot where the Mrit-aend....the glowing, lifeless egg that held the essence of the thirteenth Sun....had been cast by Aditti into the mystical waters of Satisar. At the chosen moment, Lord Shiva, wielding his immense cosmic power, struck the lifeless Mrit-aend. In an extraordinary display of divine energy, the egg split into two parts. The upper part of the egg miraculously transformed into a sacred spring, which became known as “Vimal.” This spring, revered for its purity and spiritual significance, has since been a place of pilgrimage for those seeking clarity and blessings. The lower part of the egg became another sacred spring, named “Kamal,” which also holds great importance for devotees, symbolizing creation and the blossoming of divine energy. As the egg split, a divine spark of energy burst forth from its core, igniting the manifestation of Goddess Barga Shakha. This powerful goddess, born from the very essence of the Sun, established her presence on the hillock overlooking the shrine, where she has been worshipped by devotees ever since. The hill, now a sacred site, serves as a constant reminder of the divine origins of the shrine and the goddess’s protective energy. In addition to Goddess Barga Shakha, three more divine forms....Beema, Bagwati, and Shree Bhagwani....emerged from the unleashed energy of the Mrit-aend. These powerful manifestations of Shakti, the feminine force of the universe, are also worshipped with great devotion at the site. Together, these goddesses represent the multifaceted nature of divine power, blessing the land and the people who come to seek their guidance and protection. The springs of Vimal and Kamal, along with the goddess manifestations, have turned Martand into not only a place of mythological importance but also a sacred space where faith and divinity converge, continuing to draw pilgrims and devotees seeking spiritual fulfillment. The shrine, fully fenced and set amidst a serene environment, is home to several towering cedar trees, lending it an aura of natural sanctity and peace. Spanning a total land area of about 6 Kanal, the shrine complex provides a peaceful space for devotees to connect with the divine. A longstanding tradition at the shrine involves offering (Tshot in Kashmiri) to the Mother Goddess, symbolizing gratitude and devotion. A key figure in the modern history of the Barga Shakha Shrine was a revered Sadhu known as Moni Baba. Beginning in 1967, Moni Baba made daily visits to the shrine, where he was blessed with the sacred darshan (vision) of the Mother Goddess. This divine encounter profoundly impacted him, filling him with a deep sense of purpose and devotion. Inspired by this spiritual experience, Moni Baba took it upon himself to transform the shrine into a more accessible and prominent place of worship, where devotees could seek the blessings of the Goddess with ease. Moni Baba’s contributions were both spiritual and practical. He was instrumental in the construction of the temple at the site, dedicating his life to ensuring that the sacred spot where the Mother Goddess had revealed herself to him was properly honored and maintained. His commitment to the shrine extended beyond its immediate surroundings. Realizing that the hilly terrain made it difficult for many pilgrims to visit, he spearheaded the construction of a road leading up to the shrine. This road, which he oversaw with tireless effort, made it significantly easier for devotees to access the temple, turning the shrine into a pilgrimage destination for countless people seeking divine intervention. Moni Baba’s devotion was unwavering, and his work at the Barga Shakha Shrine became a labor of love. Through his selfless dedication, the shrine blossomed into a vibrant spiritual center where the faith of the people grew stronger. Pilgrims flocked to the shrine not only to worship at the temple but also to walk the road that Moni Baba had built, a road that symbolized his path of devotion and service to the Mother Goddess. By the time of his passing, Moni Baba had left an indelible mark on the shrine and its devotees. His contributions ensured that the Barga Shakha Shrine would continue to be a place of deep spiritual significance for future generations. Moni Baba’s legacy, embodied in the shrine’s physical and spiritual transformation, stands as a lasting testament to his devotion to the Mother Goddess and his tireless work for the benefit of all devotees. The shrine remains a beacon of faith, enriched by the Sadhu’s profound connection to the divine, and continues to inspire pilgrims who visit in search of blessings and spiritual fulfillment

DISCLAIMER:                                                                     

The views expressed in the Article above are   CHANDER M. BHAY   views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

Courtesy:  CHANDER M. BHAY   and  Spade A Spade 2025